Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for
a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and
private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without
the permission of the Author.
SOME ARANUIAN (POSTGLACIAL) ORGANIC DEPOSITS IN THE SOUTH EASTERN RUAHINE RANGE, NORTH ISLAND,
NEW ZEALAND, INVESTIGATED BY PALYNOLOGICAL METHODS.
A thesi s presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in
Geography at Massey University
CYNTHIA M. LEES 1981
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract Preface
List of Tables List of Figures Chapter 1
Part 1 Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Aims
Objectives
Study area and sites LITERATURE REVIEW HISTORICAL
Geomorphology
Pleistocene climate Biostratigraphy
PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF POLLEN ANALYSIS Historical
New Zealand palynology Recent advances
POST-GLACIAL CLIMATE AND VEGETATION IN NEW ZEALAND
Evidence from macro-fossils Evidence from micro-fossils
The present forests of New Zealand The present climate of New Zealand THE STUDY AREA. SOUTH EASTERN RUAHINES Geomorphology
Erosion Vegetation Palaeoecology
Relevance of present studies Surrunary of Part 1
Part 2 Chapter 6
THE INVESTIGATION PALAEOPALYNOLOGY Field work
Laboratory work Presentation of data Validity of data
Page
1
1 1 2
6
12
16
25
31
33
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Statistical analysis of data Discussion
Fossil pollen sites
CML 80/1 Delaware Ridge Road CML 81/6 Delaware Ridge Road CML 80/2 West Tamaki River CML 81/5 Manawatu Gorge CML 81/3 West Ballantrae CML 81/9 East Ballantrae
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PODOCARP- HARDWOOD FORESTS USING' POLLEN ANALYSIS Introduction
Study plan
Part 1 THE KAHUTERAWA STUDY AREA Discussion
Part 2 THE MOUNT RUAPEHU STUDY AREA Discussion
Validity of results Conclusions
OVERVIEW
The study sites Climatic changes Erosion
Inter-relationships between plants and land The life cycle of Weinmannia racemosa (Kamahi) Comparison with other studies
Conclusions Summary of Part 2
Appendix
Bibliography
Method for preparation of field samples for pollen analysis
The Massey Reference pollen slide collection.
List of slides.
Photographs of pollen grains and spores Plates A - E
Page
41 41 46 54 72
78 84
91
94
95
119
134 136
147
ABSTRACT
Palynological methods have been used to investigate Aranuian organic deposits in the south eastern Ruahine Range. The relevant l iterature was reviewed. Six profiles from five sites ranging in altitude from 80 to 1050 metres and from 13,300 years B.P. to
present were sampled and the pollen analysed. Investigation of the palaeoecology of each site included the geomorphology, stratigraphy, present vegetation and pollen rain where relevant. The pollen data as percentages of several pollen sums was presented in pollen
diagrams, statistically analysed and an interpretation suggested.
An investigation of pollen rain in the Kahuterawa Valley in the Tararua Range and on Mount Ruapehu was made to obtain information on present podocarp-broadleaf forests and about Weinmannia racemosa
in particular. The results indicated a succession of dominants, including W. racemosa over a period of up to 1000 years. This
information was used in interpreting the pollen spectra of the fossil sites.
All sites were reviewe9 as part of an Aranuian series. It was concluded that a climatic change from a drier cooler climate to a warmer moister one occurred between 13,300 ~and 10,650 (provisional date only). A more equable climate than at present possibly
occurred between 3200 ~ and 3770 ~ with fewer frosts and droughts.
These findings are in general agreement with those of palynologists at sites in other parts of New Zealand. Other aspects of climatic change erosional history, plant-land relationships and species representation have been discussed. The decline of W. racemosa at the West Tamaki site was part of a natural stage in the life cycle and not caused by the browsing of the opossum.
PREFACE
This is the first time that an investigation of organic deposits by palynological methods has been undertaken at Massey University. Personally, I am grateful for the opportunity that has been given me to follow an interest I have had for many years and the work has given me much satisfaction and pleasure. The investigation would not have been possible without the help, interest and co-operation of three Departments.
I would like particularly to thank Professor K.W. Thomson for his permission to submit such an investigation as a fit subject for a masterate thesis in Geography. Professor B.P. Springett and Professor R.G. Thomas generously supplied the necessary
equipment and chemicals. Professor J.K. Syers kindly allowed the use of laboratory space and facilities during vacations.
For so willingly giving of their time and knowledge in many helpful discussions and advice, I would like to thank my
supervisor Dr J.P Skipworth of the Botany and Zoology Department and my assistant supervisor Dr M.J. Shepherd of the Geography Department. During Dr Shepherd's absence overseas Dr J.L. McArthur of the Geography Department arranged essential field
trips and gave much appreciated advice and encouragement.
Without the help and enthusiasm of Dr V.E. Neall and Mr M. Marden of the Soil Science Department the investigation would not have been possible, they suggested suitable sites some of which were already dated. The technical staff of all these Departments cheerfully tackled the practical problems of equipment and
supplies and I thank them for their assistance. The Curator of the Massey Herbarium Dr M.B. Forde graciously consented to
the removal of pollen samples from the herbarium specimens. The reference slide col lection will remain at Massey.
Much support from outside the campus came from D.S.I.R.
Dr E.J. Godley, Director of the Botany Division, Lincoln kindly gave permission for a six weeks study period 'in 1980 in the Palynological Laboratory under the direction of Dr N.T. Moar.
Al l the staff of this laboratory were most helpful and
enthusiastic. Two further visits were made during 1981 when
val~able advice was received on the handling and presentation of data. The curator of the National Herbarium at Lincoln,
Miss B.H. Macmillan kindly identified many specimens and allowed me to collect pollen from the herbarium specimens. Other
identifications were made by Dr E. Edgar and Dr D.R. Given. All the identifications of the fossil wood specimens were made by Dr R.N. Patel. I am grateful to all these people for their generous interest and support. Dr E.O. Campbell of Massey gave up valuable time to identify the fossil plant remains found at
the Delaware site and shared her knowledge of bog plants, this timely help was much appreciated.
During the last three months two visits have been made to the Geological Survey Department, Lower Hutt. Discussions with Dr J.I. Raine were most useful and he very kindly instructed me in the use of their excellent photographic equipment which enabled the photographs of the modern and fossil pollen to be included in this thesis.
Thanks are also expressed to the staff of the Massey Printery for the production of many diagrams and to the Central Photographic Unit for their continued interest in the production of the
photographs. Lastly, but by no means least, I would like to thank Mrs Fay Wicherts for her patience and support during the final weeks as she coped so skilfully with the typing of this thesis.
LIST OF TABLES
Chapter 1
Table 1 Fossil pollen sites in the Southern Ruahines 2
Chapter 6 Table 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Radio carbon dates for fossil pollen sites Ruahine Ranges
Summary of pollen percentages CML 80/1 Delaware Ridge Road
Summary of pollen percentages CML 81/6 Delaware Ridge Road
Comparison of pollen grain counts.
Total count 500 grains.
Profile description of Delaware Ridge site (after Hubbard and Neall (1980)
Confidence intervals for selected species CML 81/6
Summary of surf ace samples Delaware Ridge Road sites
Summary of pollen rain and uppermost sample CML 80/2 West Tamaki River
Confidence intervals for selected species from two surface samples and the uppermost fossil pollen sample. CML 80/2 at 95% confidence level Confidence intervals for selected species
CML 80/2 West Tamaki
Confidence intervals for Weinmannia.
Mount Ruapehu and West Tarnaki.
Comparison of percentages of selected species of West Tamaki pollen rain with data from Figure 7.6
Stratigraphy and development of site CML 81/5 Manawatu Gorge
Comparison of percentages of pollen for selected species from the base of CML 81/5 and for modern pollen rain.
Stratigraphy of CML 81/3 West Ballantrae.
Page
5
38 39
40
45
49
52
58
59
60
67
68
73
76
79 17 Confidence intervals of P. spicatus and Podocarpus
CML 81/3 West Ballantrae 81
18 The Stratigraphy of CML 81/9 East Ballantrae 19 Confidence intervals for two species from
CML 81/9 East Ballantrae
20 Summary of the state of.preservations of
84 87
Cyathea smithii type spores in samples from CML 89 81/9 East Ballantrae
List of Tables continued.
Chapter 7
Table 21 Percentage of Kamahi pollen in a count of 500 pollen grains.
Chapter 8
22 Data from modern pollen rain from Mount Ruapehu 23 Confidence level of soil sample 5 cm
Profile ·~.
24 Confidence level of combined samples from soil profiles A and B
25 Summary of selected species soil profiles A and B
26 Comparison of pollen rain for selected species from different localities
Page
21 103 104
104
106
114
Table 27 Summary of climatic indications for all sites. 125-126
LIST OF FIGURES
PageChapter 1 Figure 1.1 Location of study areas in the
North Island, New Zealand 3
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
1.2 Location of study sites in the S.E. Ruahines
6.1 Location of si~es and geology of the S.E. Ruahine Range
6.2 Vegetation of the Southern Ruahine Range
6.3 The topography of the fossil pollen
4
42 43
sites a. Delaware, West Tamaki 44 b. (Bolton's farm) Manawatu
Gorge. West and East Ballantrae 6.4 Pollen diagram CML 80/l Delaware Ridge
Road 47
6.5 Pollen diagram CML 81/6 Delaware Ridge Road 48
6.6 Profile and plan of site CML 80/ 2 West Tamaki River 56
6.7 Pollen diagram CML 80/2
West Tamaki River (total count) 61 6.8 Pollen diagram CML 80/2
West Tamaki River (Percentage woody) 64 6.9 Pollen diagram CML 80/2
West Tamaki River (ex Weinmannia) 65
6.10 Pollen diagram CML 81/ 5 Manawatu Gorge 75 a. Pollen sum Total count less spores b. Pollen sum
=
Percentage 250 woody6.11 Pollen diagram CML 81/ 3 West Ballantrae 82 a. Pollen sum
=
Total count 250less spores b. Pollen count
=
percentage 150 +woody ex Leptospermum
6.12 Pollen diagram 81/9 East Ballantrae a. Pollen sum Total count 250+
ex spores
b. Pollen sum Woody ex Leptospermum 7.1 Plan of sites Kahuterawa Valley
7.2 Location of sites, Mount Ruapehu 7.3 Relationship of sites to altitude,
Mount Ruapehu
7.4 Pollen diagram of soil profiles A and B 86
93 96
98 105 7.5 Percentage D. cupressinum and Weinmannia
pollen at two localities. 108
List of Figures continued
7.6
a. Pollen rain from Mount Ruapehu b. Fossil pollen from CML 80/2
West Tamaki River.
Succession in Podocarp-Broadleaf forest derived from pollen rain studies
Page
109
